Silence enveloped the night as it grew darker, and it was time for me to sneak out.

My heart hammered in my chest so vigorously that I couldhardly breathe. My fingers trembled as I took out my nightgown.

Ruhani brought this nightwear from her empire. I liked its design—a full-length, flowy gown with strings in front, reminiscent of an overcoat. I had to wear it with a translucent, thigh-length, loose inner.

I changed into that outfit and covered my head with a dupatta.

Taking the secret pathway, I walked toward the guest chambers, wanting to avoid getting caught. Upon reaching the back of his chamber, I jumped inside through the window.

A striking fragrance hit my nose, and I shivered. I noticed the dim lighting in the chamber. Inhaling deeply, I walked toward the center of the chamber, where he usually was.

The bed and couches were empty and untouched. My heart raced as I searched for him. Suddenly, a warm presence looming behind me put me on alert.

Two manly hands slipped around my waist. A familiar scent enveloped me, and I realized who it was; my lips arched into a smile.

But the smile was replaced by a burning flush when he pressed his lips gently against the curve of my neck.

His wild, warm breaths near my ear left me gasping for air.

“I asked you to write something for me. I expect you’ve done your assignment,” he inquired, and I meekly nodded.

As he slowly turned me to look at him, a gasp escaped my lips as I gazed at his bare chest. I blinked nervously, glancing at his broad shoulders, wide and puffy chest, muscular arms, and abs, which made me feel hot, too hot. He was undoubtedly strong.

Holding out his hand, he asked for the letter, and with unsteady hands, I passed it to him.

With a benign smile, he unrolled the letter, and I watched as his eyes scanned the sheet. By the end, he nibbled on his lower lip and refolded the letter.

Looking into my eyes, he slowly kept the letter on a side table and moved closer to me, stopping right an inch away.“Did you miss me?” he whispered in a low tone, and I accepted, nodding.“Do you want me to touch you?” I nodded again.

“Words,” he demanded, and I muttered faintly,“Yes,”

“Where?” he asked. I gulped anxiously, out of words and inept to form a sentence.

“On my cheeks,” I breathed out heavily. He cupped my cheekand abruptly asked,“Do you want to marry me?” I looked into his eyes, frowning at the sudden question. But my answer was clear:“Yes,” I complied.

“You are very well aware that I cannot take you until we get married.”

“I know,” I acknowledged.

“And I don't have a home to provide for you, and I'm unsure if I will ever be the throne’s successor. Do you still want to live with me, knowing all of this?” He asked. And my answer was yet again the same,“Yes,”

“Why do you love me so much?” he probed. I bit my lip and swallowed to moisten my dry throat.

“Because it's you whom I've always romanticised about. My sweetest thoughts and my wildest fantasies are of you. No matter how much I try, I am incapable of envisioning myself with anyone else in such a way. It is unthinkable for me. I do not know what in the name of love this is, but this is it,” I confessed.

He held my arms and walked me toward the dressing table. I looked at myself in the mirror, standing in front of him, and he gazed into my eyes through the reflection and said,“From this moment on and for always, you are mine. But, you have to promise that it’ll only be me you will call your world, Agreed?” He questioned, and I looked into his mystic eyes through the mirror.

It was as if something magnetic had firmly pulled me into their attraction range.“Yes, I agree,” I accepted, and he turned me around to look at him.

He cupped my cheek gently and abruptly pushed me against the dressing table. I balanced my hands immediately behind me on the table to support my weight and looked into his eyes. His face was dangerously close to mine as he looked at me ardently.

His hand moved toward my hair, which was tied in a bun, and I breathed heavily as he pulled out the hairpin, freeing it and letting it fall onto the table. I felt his fingers travel down the front of my gown to the strings.

He looked at me and countered,“Are you sure?” I nodded courageously.“Yes.”

The proximity made my heart beat at an abnormal pace. For the first time, we stood so close, feeling each other's breath.

As he placed his forehead on mine, the overwhelming feeling made my eyelids heavy, making it hard for me to keep my eyesopen. His gaze dropped to my lips as his hands strode down to pull the strings of my gown open.